Cosmetic carrier and cosmetic container housing same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to provide a cosmetic carrier 10 capable of suppressing swelling even when it is impregnated with a cosmetic having flowability, and to provide a cosmetic container 30 housing the same. The cosmetic carrier 10 for impregnating and holding the cosmetic having flowability is formed of a fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cosmetic carrier for impregnating andholding a cosmetic having flowability, and to a cosmetic container inwhich the cosmetic carrier is housed.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, as a carrier of a cosmetic having flowability, such as aliquid foundation, there is a carrier formed of urethane foam (PatentDocuments 1 and 2).

However, the cosmetic carrier formed of urethane foam swells largelywhen impregnated with the cosmetic, and in particular in case of acosmetic of emulsion containing an ultraviolet absorber (a sunscreen),swells remarkably. Thus, the cosmetic carrier formed of urethane foam isnot suitable for a cosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-12457

Patent Document 2: JP-T-2013-530252

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an objectof the present invention is to provide a cosmetic carrier capable ofsuppressing swelling even when it is impregnated with a cosmetic havingflowability, and to provide a cosmetic container housing the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

A first disclosure of the present invention relates to a cosmeticcarrier for impregnating and holding a cosmetic having flowability,wherein the cosmetic carrier is formed of a fibrous aggregate having acore-sheath structure.

A second disclosure of the present invention relates to the cosmeticcarrier of the first disclosure, wherein the fibers having a core-sheathstructure are formed of a thermoplastic resin, a core portion is formedof a thermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of thesheath portion, and the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structureis formed by fusing the fibers having a core-sheath structure at a partof the sheath portion.

A third disclosure of the present invention relates to the cosmeticcarrier of the first or second disclosure, wherein the fibers having acore-sheath structure comprises an eccentric core-sheath type conjugatefiber having a spiral shape.

A fourth disclosure of the present invention relates to the cosmeticcarrier of any one of the first to third disclosures, wherein both thecore portion and the sheath portion of the fibers having a core-sheathstructure are a polyolefin-based resin.

A fifth disclosure of the present invention relates to the cosmeticcarrier of any one of the first to fourth disclosures, wherein thefibers having a core-sheath structure have a thickness of 2.0 dtex to 15dtex. Incidentally, dtex (decitex) represents a weight (in grams) of ayarn with a length of 10000 m.

A sixth disclosure of the present invention relates to the cosmeticcarrier of any one of the first to fifth disclosures, wherein thefibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent densityof 0.03 g/cm³ to 0.10 g/cm³ (in accordance with JIS K6400-1).

A seventh disclosure of the present invention relates to a cosmeticcontainer housing the cosmetic carrier according to any one of the firstto sixth disclosures.

Effect of the Invention

According to the first disclosure of the present invention, by formingthe cosmetic carrier with the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure, the sheath portion forming an outer periphery of the fiber isin contact with the cosmetic impregnated in the cosmetic carrier and theinner core portion surrounded by the sheath portion is not in contactwith the cosmetic. Therefore, at least the core portion can be preventedfrom being influenced by the cosmetic, and swelling of the entirecosmetic carrier can be suppressed.

According to the second disclosure of the present invention, since thefibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure is formed by fusing thefibers having a core-sheath structure at a part of the sheath portion, agap can be formed between fibers and the impregnating and holdingproperty can be improved.

According to the third disclosure of the present invention, since thefibers having a core-sheath structure comprises the eccentricsheath-core type conjugate fiber having a spiral shape, the fiberassembly is excellent in elasticity and returnability after shapedeformation, and can be used continuously and successfully.

According to the fourth disclosure of the present invention, since boththe core portion and the sheath portion of the fibers having acore-sheath structure are formed of the polyolefin-based resin, thecosmetic carrier does not swell due to a liquid cosmetic composition.

According to the fifth disclosure of the present invention, since thefibers having a core-sheath structure have a thickness of 2.0 dtex to 15dtex, the cosmetic can be easily impregnated into the cosmetic carrier,and the required capacity can be maintained.

According to the sixth disclosure of the present invention, since thefibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has an apparent densityof 0.03 g/cm³ to 0.10 g/cm³, appropriate elasticity can be given fortransferring the cosmetic with a coating member of the cosmetic.

According to the seventh disclosure of the present invention, since thecosmetic container houses the cosmetic carrier formed of the fibrousaggregate having a core-sheath structure, the cosmetic carrier isimpregnated with the cosmetic, which is convenient for portability andstorage, and swelling of the cosmetic carrier due to the impregnatedcosmetic is suppressed, which is convenient for continued use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic carrier according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cosmetic container according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A cosmetic carrier 10 according to an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1 isone for impregnating and holding a cosmetic having flowability, and isformed of a fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure. In thecosmetic carrier 10, a sheath portion forming an outer periphery of thefiber is in contact with a cosmetic impregnated in the cosmetic carrier10 and an inner core portion surrounded by the sheath portion is not incontact with the cosmetic. Therefore, at least the core portion can beprevented from being influenced by the cosmetic, and swelling of theentire cosmetic carrier 10 can be suppressed. This assembly is formed ofonly fibers having a core-sheath structure.

The fibers having a core-sheath structure are formed of a fiber in whicha periphery of the core portion is surrounded by the sheath portion. Itis preferable that the fibers having a core-sheath structure is formedof a thermoplastic resin, and the core portion is formed of athermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of thesheath portion. According to this constitution, even if the fibershaving a core-sheath structure are fused at a part of the sheath part atthe melting point of the sheath part, the core portion does not be fusedand the fiber assembly can be produced efficiently by cooling from a lowmelting point. Although not particularly limited, the melting point ofthe core portion is preferably 135° C. to 165° C., and the melting pointof the sheath portion is preferably 90° C. to 130° C. Although materialsof the core portion and the sheath portion in the fibers having acore-sheath structure are not particularly limited, a polyolefin-basedresin is more preferable since there is no deterioration over time dueto components of the cosmetic. In addition, the polyolefin-based resinis preferable since swelling does not occur due to a liquid cosmeticcomposition.

Further, among the polyolefin-based resin, those in which the coreportion is formed of polypropylene (having a melting point of 165° C.),and the sheath portion is formed of polyethylene (having a melting pointof 130° C.), or the core portion is formed of polypropylene (having amelting point of 165° C.), and the sheath portion is formed ofpolybutene (having a melting point of 127° C.) can be used. Of these, afiber in which polybutene-1 is used as the sheath portion has a highmolecular weight and thus is excellent in bulkiness recovery performancewhen heat is applied. This polybutene-1 has a melting point of 115° C.to 130° C. (in accordance with JIS K7121). Further, it is preferablesince compression set is small and compatibility with polypropylene asthe core portion is good. In addition, it is preferable that the fibershaving a core-sheath structure have a thickness of 2.0 dtex to 15 dtex,since the cosmetic can be easily impregnated into the cosmetic carrier10, and the required capacity can be maintained. Further, from aviewpoint of impregnating and holding the cosmetic, the thickness of thefibers having a core-sheath structure is still more preferably 2.0 dtexto 10 dtex, and particularly preferably 2.0 dtex to 7.0 dtex.

The fibers having a core-sheath structure may be either actual crimpexhibiting steric crimp, or latent crimp exhibiting steric crimping byheating, and the crimp may be either a wave shape or a spiral shape. Ofthese, a fiber in which the spiral shape and the wave shape are combinedis preferable since the fiber assembly is excellent in elasticity andreturnability after shape deformation.

Further, an eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber is preferable forsteric crimp thereof. A cross section of a core portion of the eccentriccore-sheath type conjugate fiber may have a different shape other than acircle, such as an elliptical shape, a Y shape, and an X shape. A crosssection of the eccentric core-sheath type conjugate fiber may also havea different shape other than a circle, such as an elliptical shape, a Yshape, an X shape, a #-shape, a polygon shape and a star shape, or ahollow shape.

For the above crimped conjugate fiber and the fiber assembly using thesame, reference can also be made with Japanese Patent and JapanesePatent Publication, JP-A-2011-021300.

As the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure, those producedby a known method can be used. For example, a thermal bond method, aneedle punch method, a hydroentangling method, and the like can bementioned. Particularly, it is more preferably that the fibers having acore-sheath structure are fused at a part of the sheath portion to formthe fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure. In this assembly,a gap can be formed between fibers and the impregnating and holdingproperty can be improved. In addition, the producing method thereof isnot limited, and can be carried out by, for example, a hot air conveyorfurnace type method, a molding type method, a method using a mesh belt(a method described in Japanese Patent No. 4195043), or the like, andthereafter the obtained product is cut into a size suitable for thecosmetic carrier by a cutting process such as press. Incidentally, inproduction of the assembly by fusing the fibers having a core-sheathstructure at a part of the sheath portion, fusing of the fiber isperformed at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point ofthe sheath portion and lower than the melting point of the core portion.

It is more preferable that, from a viewpoint of obtaining theimpregnating and holding property of the cosmetic, the fibrous aggregatehaving a core-sheath structure has an apparent density of 0.03 g/cm³ to0.10 g/cm³ (in accordance with JIS K6400-1), since it can giveappropriate elasticity for transferring the cosmetic with a coatingmember of the cosmetic. In addition, a size of the assembly of thecore-sheath structure fibers is not particularly limited, and isdetermined depending on the ease of use or the size of a container to behoused or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cosmetic carrier 10 is carried and kept in astate of being housed in an inner tray of a cosmetic container 30. Thatis, the cosmetic container 30 has a structure in which the cosmeticcarrier 10 is housed in a container body 20. The container body 20includes a housing container forming the container body 20 and a lidbody 21 combined with the housing container so as to be openable andclosable. The housing container is provided with a housing recess 22whose upper surface is open, and the cosmetic inner tray is housed inthe housing recess 22.

The lid body 21 is connected to an upper portion of the housingcontainer by a hinge or the like, or is openable and closable as ascrew. The housing recess 22 and the cosmetic inner tray can be coveredby covering the housing container with the lid body 21. In this example,the cosmetic carrier 10 is housed in the inner tray, and further aliquid cosmetic is impregnated and held in the cosmetic carrier 10.

In addition, the container body may be one that can house cosmetic toolssuch as puffs together with the cosmetic carrier. For example, one inwhich a housing portion of the cosmetic carrier and a housing portion ofthe cosmetic tools provided side by side in the container body, one inwhich puffs or the like can be stacked and housed on the cosmeticcarrier, or the like can be mentioned.

The cosmetic to be impregnated in the cosmetic carrier is notparticularly limited as long as it is a cosmetic having flowability. Acosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber is one of the suitablecosmetics. In addition, use of the cosmetic impregnated in the cosmeticcarrier is performed by rubbing a surface of the cosmetic carrier with afinger or a cosmetic tool such as a puff, and sticking the cosmeticimpregnated and held in the cosmetic carrier to the finger or thecosmetic tool.

EXAMPLES

In order to confirm the swelling resistance in the cosmetic carrier ofthe present invention, the swelling resistance was examined for thefollowing examples and comparative examples.

Example 1

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure is Vafter (trade name) manufactured by INOAC Corporation, hasan apparent density of 0.04 g/cm³, and has a size before immersion shownin Table 1. This fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure wasproduced by heat fusing the sheath portion (which also applies toExamples 2 to 7). Incidentally, the volume was calculated fromdimensions (which also applies to the following).

Example 2

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure is Vafter (trade name) manufactured by INOAC Corporation, hasan apparent density of 0.06 g/cm³, and has a size before immersion shownin Table 1.

Example 3

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 2.2 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure has an apparent density of 0.08 g/cm³, and has a size beforeimmersion shown in Table 1.

Example 4

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure has an apparent density of 0.04 g/cm³, and has a size beforeimmersion shown in Table 1.

Example 5

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure has an apparent density of 0.06 g/cm³, and has a size beforeimmersion shown in Table 1.

Example 6

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PE (polyethylene), andhave a thickness of 6.7 dtex. An fibrous aggregate having a core-sheathstructure has an apparent density of 0.08 g/cm³, and has a size beforeimmersion shown in Table 1.

Example 7

Fibers having a core-sheath structure include a core portion formed ofPP (polypropylene) and a sheath portion formed of PB (polybutene-1), andhave a thickness of 6.7 dtex and an eccentricity ratio of 25%. Across-sectional shape thereof is a double-circle, spirally-formedcrimped fiber whose center of gravity position is displaced. An fibrousaggregate having a core-sheath structure is Vafter (trade name)manufactured by INOAC Corporation, has an apparent density of 0.04g/cm³, and has a size before immersion shown in Table 1.

Comparative Example 1

A fiber assembly having an apparent density of 0.05 g/cm³, is producedfrom a single thermoplastic resin fiber, having a thickness of 5.6 dtexand formed of polypropylene resin, and a core-sheath structurethermoplastic resin fiber, having a thickness of 2.2 dtex and formed ofpolypropylene/polyethylene resin, by a thermal bond method at a weightratio of 7:3. A size before immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

Comparative Example 2

Polyether-based urethane foam (a net type with a cell membrane removed),having a number of cells of 40/25 mm and an apparent density of 0.03g/cm³; trade name: CFH-40, manufactured by INOAC corporation. A sizebefore immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

Comparative Example 3

Polyester-based urethane foam (a net type with a cell membrane removed),having a number of cells of 30/25 mm and an apparent density of 0.03g/cm³; trade name: MF-30, manufactured by INOAC corporation. A sizebefore immersion shown in Table 1 was used.

TABLE 1 Before immersion After 24 hours of immersion Lateral LateralRate of Vertical dimension Thickness Volume Vertical dimension ThicknessVolume change dimension (mm) (mm) (mm) (cm³) dimension (mm) (mm) (mm)(cm³) (%) Example 1 50.25 40.16 6.93 13.99 50.19 40.05 7.33 14.73 5.29Example 2 50.38 40.32 7.31 14.85 50.34 40.22 7.44 15.06 1.41 Example 350.45 40.52 6.73 13.76 50.46 40.26 6.55 13.31 −3.27 Example 4 50.1340.37 6.72 13.60 50.19 40.14 6.53 13.16 −3.24 Example 5 50.41 40.21 7.4415.08 50.47 40.22 6.97 14.15 −6.17 Example 6 50.51 40.36 6.55 13.3550.19 40.51 6.53 13.28 −0.52 Example 7 50.32 40.27 7.28 14.75 50.2540.10 7.12 14.35 −2.71 Comparative 50.01 40.04 7.57 15.16 52.08 40.958.42 17.96 18.47 Example 1 Comparative 49.14 39.32 8.17 15.79 49.3739.99 9.00 17.77 12.54 Example 2 Comparative 48.96 38.73 7.85 14.8950.57 40.39 8.35 17.06 14.57 Example 3

The cosmetic carriers of the Examples and Comparative Examples wereimmersed in an ultraviolet absorber (trade name: Uvinul (registeredtrademark) A plus B, manufactured by BASF Japan) for 24 hours such thatthe whole cosmetic carrier was immersed therein, taken out therefrom,and dimensions thereof were measured. Based on the obtained dimensions,volumes and rates of change were calculated according to a formula:{(volume of sample piece after immersion)−(volume of sample piece beforeimmersion)}/(volume of sample piece before immersion)×100(%).

Values of dimensions, volumes and rates of change after immersion intothe ultraviolet absorber are shown in Table 1, and the swellingresistance is determined based on the obtained rates of change.

In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change were 6.17% or less (−6.17%),while in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the rates of change were 12.54% to18.47%. In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change were smaller than thoseof Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and the swelling resistances wereexcellent. Incidentally, in some examples, the rate of change had anegative value since the fiber assembly shrank due to moisture.

In addition, instead of the ultraviolet absorber, the swellingresistance was examined for the examples and comparative examples usinga commercial cosmetic containing an ultraviolet absorber.

The cosmetic used is B.A Creamy Foundation (B3) (trade name),manufactured by Pola Inc., and the ultraviolet absorber contained isethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and hexyl diethylamino hydroxybenzoylbenzoate.

When the results were shown, in Examples 1 to 6, the rates of changewere 5.4% or less, while in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, the rates ofchange were 12.6% to 18.5%. In Examples 1 to 7, the rates of change weresmaller than those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3, and the swellingresistances were excellent.

Accordingly, the cosmetic carrier of the present invention has littleswelling with respect to a cosmetic and can be used for a cosmeticcontaining an ultraviolet absorber.

Although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilledin the art that various modifications and variations are possiblewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (2016-58047)filed on Mar. 23, 2016, and Japanese Patent Application (2017-28645)filed on Feb. 20, 2017, the entireties of which are incorporated byreference. In addition, all references cited herein are incorporated intheir entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Cosmetic carrier-   20 Container body-   21 Lid body-   22 Housing recess-   30 Cosmetic container

1. A cosmetic carrier for impregnating and holding a cosmetic havingflowability, wherein the cosmetic carrier is formed of a fibrousaggregate having a core-sheath structure.
 2. The cosmetic carrieraccording to claim 1, wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structureare formed of a thermoplastic resin, the core portion is formed of athermoplastic resin having a melting point higher than that of thesheath portion, and the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structureis formed by fusing the fibers having a core-sheath structure at a partof the sheath portion.
 3. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1,wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structure comprises an eccentriccore-sheath type conjugate fiber having a spiral shape.
 4. The cosmeticcarrier according to claim 1, wherein both the core portion and thesheath portion of the fibers having a core-sheath structure are apolyolefin-based resin.
 5. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1,wherein the fibers having a core-sheath structure have a thickness of2.0 dtex to 15 dtex.
 6. The cosmetic carrier according to claim 1,wherein the fibrous aggregate having a core-sheath structure has anapparent density of 0.03 g/cm³ to 0.10 g/cm³ (in accordance with JISK6400-1).
 7. A cosmetic container housing the cosmetic carrier accordingto claim 1.